Do MFP friends really help you lose more weight?

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Replies

  • thoseblueeyes
    thoseblueeyes Posts: 812 Member
    Yes it helps you if your doing what your suppose to do with MFP. If your keeping to your calories by eating healthy foods and exercising then how can you not lose weight??? Plus having support of friends on MFP helps too. How dedicated are you to this promgram is a better question....
  • tpayne0453
    tpayne0453 Posts: 52
    This is my new Facebook. Seriously, I told myself when I got back on the wagon a few weeks ago that I would check and post to MFP before getting onto FB....Is totally working! But I think alot of it has to do with the type of friends you add. I have some friends that post the "nice-ities", but I have others that tell me to get my lazy butt up off the couch and move or to put the cheeseburger down! I love it and intend on being here for quite a while.

    Everyone - feel free to add me!!!!
  • BonnieandClyde29
    BonnieandClyde29 Posts: 1,026 Member
    :smile: that's def. another good point right there!!!

    Another added bonus of MFP friends: you don't have to make a Facebook post every time you go to the gym and drive everyone on your FB friends list crazy. MFP friends tend to be equally obsessed with eating right and working out, so I don't feel like I'm irritating people by posting every last detail of my workouts or eating issues. :-)
  • kel665
    kel665 Posts: 401 Member
    Yes definitely for me! I have tried many times to lose weight on my own and barely last more than a couple of weeks before I give up. Having the support on here from friends that are also losing weight has been fantastic, I love to see how they are going and they in turn inspire me to get up and move and to eat healthy. I have been here two months now and lost 7kg (15lbs), I couldn't have done it without them.
  • kymw
    kymw Posts: 7 Member
    I think the community helps, if I have questions, I can get great answers and help....and hope! I love that I never have to feel alone-and it is kind of take what you need-if you need lots of help and support, you can get it, or you can just come on and quietly read boards and get support too!
  • Gwen_B
    Gwen_B Posts: 1,018 Member
    Well I have to say yes and no. I do have self motivation and the desire to maintain my weight, but I do get get bored of it sometimes and take too many breaks. So with my friends constantly posting their workouts, I feel lazy when i don't log exercise regularly. I also get workout ideas from them, like 30 Shred, I loved it.
  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    i would say, mfp friends keeps me consistent. the support works and keeps me on going
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    I don't have any MFP friends. Does it really help with the weightloss?

    It depends on your personality. I've been doing just fine without any, but you need to be very disciplined to log your diet and exercise daily. For me, the logging features are what keeps me on track, others mileage may vary.
  • srwildeman
    srwildeman Posts: 2
    I think having accountability is important to keeping motivated.
  • rosesigil
    rosesigil Posts: 105 Member
    Most definitely/ Also the message board are full of information. i have truly learned a great deal about food and exercise from the people here. Also, logging everything makes me feel more in control and like I won't just start eating everything from not paying attention. The mfp friends keep me focused on that I'm trying to make a whole lifestyle change with respect to healthy eating and living.
  • rm7161
    rm7161 Posts: 505
    Most definitely/ Also the message board are full of information. i have truly learned a great deal about food and exercise from the people here. Also, logging everything makes me feel more in control and like I won't just start eating everything from not paying attention. The mfp friends keep me focused on that I'm trying to make a whole lifestyle change with respect to healthy eating and living.

    Yea, the forums are really great. Especially the Success Stories help me maintain motivation. I hope to put my own story on there eventually. ;D
  • julimonster
    julimonster Posts: 243 Member
    i say yes, definitely. but i was already a huge facebook junkie before this so i'm used to the format. it's a distraction from food and keeps reminding you that you have goals.

    also it feels nice to know that people are paying attention to you and trying to help. i don't have anyone like that in real life i would be too embarrassed to ask my friends for constant support. none of them really have weight problems or if they have food issues they deal with them in unhealthy ways like starvation.

    there are athletes and trainers on here giving good advice which is cool
    that and all of the above!
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Yes. It's not even so much the support and "great job!" comments, it's seeing people progress with their weightloss. The 'Success Stories' board is great, but you don't get to see that person's good and bad days like you do your MFP friends.

    A few of my MFPals started at a similar weight, and started around the same time as me, so when I see them continually doing well with their eating and exercise, it motivates me to "catch up". I guess It's my competitive nature, but it works for me.
  • CDeRuyter
    CDeRuyter Posts: 75 Member
    Being a person who likes to 'go it alone', I have found my friends to be a great source of help...especially when I am not in to mood to work out in the evening.

    ...Peer pressure has never been so noble!
  • Ghette
    Ghette Posts: 350 Member
    I started on here in March. The only friend I had was my Mom and I didn't use the message boards. I lasted about 10 days before falling off the wagon.

    I came back in May, I found friends and used the message boards-- and 3 months later, I'm going strong.
    Not only do the friends give you support & motivation (and vice versa), but it holds you accountable too.

    Ditto this
  • cmccoy0901
    cmccoy0901 Posts: 156 Member
    I would say yes cause I feel I can be more open on here with struggles of weight loss on here compared to facebook. It's cause we all are on here for the same purpose to become happier with ourselves. I like getting motivation and support from my MFP friends when I'm stressed to my max and want to eat junk to help push me not to.
  • miadhail
    miadhail Posts: 383 Member
    I don't have any MFP friends. Does it really help with the weightloss?

    As in actually directly making you lose weight, no.

    Calories in < Calories out helped me lose weight plus moving about more.

    HOWEVER! they do motivate me to commit to the above therein indirectly assisting in my weightloss. it is also comforting to know that you aren't the only ompa lompa and that you can change that and lead a healthier lifestyle.

    I love my MFP friends :)
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    Only I can help myself lose more weight, but my friends are there to help me celebrate when I have a good day or commiserate when I have a bad day. Just like I'm there for them. I love that I have a place to go to talk about food and weight loss. My FB and Twitter friends aren't the same as my MFP friends.
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    No. Only you can help yourself. It is a good support system though.
  • manda1978
    manda1978 Posts: 525 Member
    Nope.

    I look at their diary for ideas but thats about it.
  • Alicia7519
    Alicia7519 Posts: 160
    Last time that I had begun MFP, I did not have any friends. This time, I have a small group of friends who need to lose the same amount of weight that I do. The support and cheering on helps me a lot. My husband is supportive, but on MFP, if I lose weight, log on, or finish my food log, someone always has something nice to say. I know that exercising and eating healthy is up to me, but having someone with whom to discuss the same food issues that I have or struggles with weight is quite helpful.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    Everyone is different. It helps some people to have a group cheering you on. Ultimately it's up to you to do the hard work. There are times when no one is around and you have to pull your own self out of a funk. But overall having friends is fun.
  • LesleyGillan
    LesleyGillan Posts: 164
    Everyone is different. It helps some people to have a group cheering you on. Ultimately it's up to you to do the hard work. There are times when no one is around and you have to pull your own self out of a funk. But overall having friends is fun.

    ^^^ I agree totally, MFP friends are awesome for support, cheering me up and entertaining me....BUT it is all down to me to stay on my journey towards a fitter healthier me :bigsmile:
  • SA_80_2012
    SA_80_2012 Posts: 45 Member
    I will come over to your house and slap the sandwich out of your hand and replace it with a carrot. Followed by a light beating.

    That's what mfp friends do.

    ... LOL - funny :-)
  • MissLotte
    MissLotte Posts: 101 Member
    OK, it doesn't help me lose weight, only I am responsible for that but they help keep me accountable for what I am eating and how much exercising I am doing.

    I find it much easier to talk to strangers who are in the same situation as me rather than my friends and family who are not and who I would probably bore to death if I didn't have a wonderful MFP support network of generous people.

    If you want to see how it helos you, you can add me as a friend if you would like. xx
  • gcadays99
    gcadays99 Posts: 23
    I look back to when I was in shape in highschool and college and realize I did sports not because I knew I was going to be a profesional athlete or to stay in shape but I did them for the social aspect. Organized sports in high school and intramurals and such in college. Good way to meet people and makes it feel less like work and more fun.
  • motogsp
    motogsp Posts: 109 Member
    I find that is helping me. It is always nice to hear from them on how well I am doing. The support is great. Sometimes I get bummed if no one replies but I guess that is my self asteam issue. I am working on that and making good head way!
  • SA_80_2012
    SA_80_2012 Posts: 45 Member
    I think the right ones do. Im the worse self-motivator..So having a support system that i can also get motivation and advice from works for me. I think it depends on the type of person you are and the type of friends you are making

    This is totally true.
    As with any social site, you'll get all sorts on MPF too.

    Some ppl on here really do motivate you, and some ppl you add thinking they will provide you great support, just to find out it's all about them and their shenanigans ----> (One girl I added to my contact list, ended up only posting updates of a sexual nature; and as fascinating as it may be to read about her hook-ups, she was really not very supportive or motivating)l.

    So, I'm with you, the right people on here will definite be helpful to you; encouraging you or giving you a little nudge, a friendly word or a pep talk when you may need it the most.

    Personally, i find that i've got plenty of motivation to get me moving and stay active (endorphins), but the little words of support, particularly on "blah" days, from people who are far removed from the situation I may find myself in, have been extremely helpful; to re-focus my thinking that yes, despite it being a long, hard road to my goal, I really can achieve this.. Even if at times those last few pounds truly feel like cement stuck to my stomach!
  • marthathebear
    marthathebear Posts: 498
    There are a lot of motivating people on my friend list I don't want to disappoint by messing up! So instead I've lost 32 pounds.
  • sho3girl
    sho3girl Posts: 10,799 Member
    for me all the support here is great love reading my news feed inspires me on things i should be doing

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